There wasn’t a soul in Packers Nation who could have predicted that an undrafted rookie and a promoted practice-squad member doing time on his third NFL team would be the starting right tackle and starting running back, respectively, on a national stage in Green Bay’s 27-20 Week 14 victory over the Lions.

But not only did Don Barclay and diminutive DuJuan Harris manage to pull off that unlikely parlay, the way we hear it, both players also very well could provide valuable impacts on the road to the playoffs, although not necessarily as starters.

Start with Barclay, a blue-collar, undrafted rookie out of West Virginia who was pressed into service because of injuries suffered by starting ORT Bryan Bulaga, out for the season with a hip injury, and T.J. Lang, who shifted over from left guard to replace Bulaga before injuring his ankle a couple weeks ago vs. the Vikings.

Despite some problems in pass protection, the scrappy, competitive Barclay performed well enough consistently clearing holes against the Lions to lead many close team observers to believe he should remain entrenched at right tackle, with Lang moving back to left guard, where he is the first to admit he’s much more comfortable. Dating back to training camp, we’re told Barclay has never seemed overwhelmed and has continued to steadily improve with more playing time.